With Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commision (DERC) reducing fixed user charges and Delhi Government making 200 watts power consumption absolutely free, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal dared the main Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to provide free electricity for people consuming up to 200 units a month in poll-bound Maharashtra and Haryana.
Kejriwal statement came days after the BJP termed his announcement as “poll stunt”. The Chief Minister said that he would ask people to vote for the BJP if it implemented the decision announced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in both the states where polls are due later this year.
Addressing a gathering at his residence, he said that his government will also make public transport free for women in Delhi. Kejriwal asked the BJP to make its stand clear on the AAP government’s announcement on power tariff.
The Delhi chief minister had announced on Wednesday that people consuming up to 200 units of electricity won’t have to pay power bills.
Those who consume between 201 and 400 units would be given a 50 per cent subsidy by the state government. “Some people say it’s Kejriwal’s poll stunt. I ask them (BJP) there are elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, why do not you pull this stunt there?” he questioned and alleged both the BJP and the Congress were clueless whether to support his government’s decision.
Kejriwal further said that people had given full mandate five years ago. “Usually, there is anti-incumbency against the government after five years of a government’s tenure. But it is for the first time, people’s trust in this government keep increasing day by day in the last five years,”
“We are also providing free water to all households as we believe that water and electricity are the basic facilities and no one can survive without it,” he said, adding that considering this, the government decided to make 200 units of power free.
Stressing on the integrity and honesty of his government, Kejriwal said that this became possible only because you elected an honest government in Delhi.
Delhi BJP leaders, including its president Manoj Tiwari, and the Congress had slammed Kejriwal’s announcement as a “poll stunt” before assembly elections.
“Governments face backlash of people after five years but this is first government which has gained more respect, love and faith of the people. This is because it has worked day and night for the people in the last five years,” Kejriwal said.
On August 1, Chief Minister announced free electricity to people using up to 200 units. “The Government will have to spend Rs 1,800 crore to Rs 2,000 crore for meeting the revenue gap of the power supplying companies. Kejriwal also hoped that with the AAP Government extending the existing subsidy to its consumers, people would use power judiciously and that will reduce the overall power load in the city,” Kejriwal had said.
Earlier, on Wednesday Kejriwal said there has been no hike in electricity tariffs in the national capital for the fifth consecutive year after power regulator DERC announced a significant reduction in fixed charges. “Congratulations Delhi For fifth consecutive year NO electricity tariff hikes. On the contrary, for fifth consecutive yr (year), tariffs reduced. Delhi has lowest electricity tariffs in the country now,” Kejriwal had tweeted.
